CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Coronaviruses generally cause a mild respiratory tract infection. In the last two decades, three types of coronavirus have spread from animal reservoirs to humans causing severe diseases with a high mortality rate. The outbreak of new coronavirus disease − COVID-19, which is caused by SARS-CoV-2, began in China and spread worldwide in less than 3 months. Main routes of viral transmission are via droplets and contact with soiled surfaces and fomites. The incubation period is estimated to be 4−6 days. Most children have mild disease with nonspecific symptoms and signs of upper respiratory tract infection, in a smaller proportion, gastrointestinal symptoms are present. The most common encountered symptoms are fever and cough. The disease course is mostly self-limiting with neventful recovery in 1−2 weeks. Severe disease is rare (up to 6 %). From late April we are witnessing emerging reports of children with a severe inflammatory disease resembling Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome. Pathogenesis of this syndrome is not yet well understood; the severe inflammatory response might be caused by activation of the immune system by superantigen induced by the virus. Currently, there is no specific treatment for COVID-19. A few vaccines are in the pipeline, which might help not only in controlling and limiting the current epidemic but eventually preventing similar epidemics in the future.

Keywords

• covid-19
• children
• pandemic
• therapy
• vaccines
• preventive measures